AUSTRALIA’S VICTORY OVER Honduras earlier today means all bar one of the places for next summer’s World Cup have been decided.
The final spot will be decided in the early hours of Thursday morning, as New Zealand take travel to face Peru after a 0-0 draw in the first leg (kick-off 2.15am Irish time).
The nations that have already booked their place for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, after Australia qualified, are as follows…
Europe: Belgium, England, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Russia (as hosts), Serbia, Spain, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark
Africa: Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia
Asia: Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Australia
North, Central America and Caribbean: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama
South America: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia
Additional reporting by AFP
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Remember when it was suggested we’d be the 33rd team. Gas stuff altogether.
What ever about the Hand of God French style, surely now that goal line technology has been adopted successfully, why not video scrutiny of dubious decisions like the No Hand of God Northern Ireland style. I’m not saying that N I would have qualified either way, but wrong decisions like that, or diving or whatever, have such a major impact on games, not that any of this world have done anything for our cause here in the Republic. Sad night last night. A serious rethink of the game here is needed, all the way down to schoolboy level with joined up strategy throughout.
@Patrick Foley: I believe the video assistant ref is to be used in the world cup after being trialled at the confederations cup last year. It’s had its teething problems though, especially at some of the underage competitions with poor decisions being made. Personally I don’t think they give it enough time to make decisions and would benefit from a stopped clock like rugby.
@Patrick Foley: That was a lovely sermon Patrick. A bit short but I suppose you had to tailor it to suit the attention spans of 42 readers. still I enjoyed it. God bless you.
Cmon the inca nation! End the drought. NZ have the rugger, they be grand like.
@Fionn Falcao: I will be shouting for the all whites of New Zealand to do a Pizarro and exterminate those Incas.
Be funny if Iran drew Saudi, but they will be in the same pot.
@Tony Stack: Even if they are in different pots they cant draw each other as they are from the same federation.